1950

Hello again! The last time I wrote to the class was in June of 1986, when my last newsletter appeared. Twenty years ago! I used to think 20 years was a long time.

Heartfelt condolences extend to Barbara Kent and family along with posthumous thanks to Jack for his many years wielding the secretary's pen. Thanks, also, to Joe Medlicott for having bailed me out by writing last months column. My class news tank was empty and the deadline was days away when Gordy Hood asked me to fill Jack's shoes. Joe, incidentally, will have taught a summer class on "The Art of Memoir Writing" by the time you read this.

Vero Beach is a hotbed of '50 activity during the winter months. Last (and in previous) winter we (who stay for 12 months) have seen the Abbes, Carvers, David Donahue, Doolittles, Grants, Embrees, Fauvers, Harneds, Harrington-Kips, Hoods, Bob Kilmarx, Hoffmans, Leavitts, Mcllwains, Mauks— Bob and Clint, Moores, Newkirks and Pulleys. Being unaware that this job lay ahead, therefore without notes, my apologies to those who I'm sure I've overlooked. Make my day. Chide me. Write or e-mail me at raneveroo3@aol.com.

Tommy Ruggles invites all '50s to a celebration of "the shot heard round the world" in Concord, Massachusetts—April 13-16,2007. Contact Tommy at smileytmr@aol.com. Watch Joe's last and next newsletter for details.

The Mcllwains will spend 22 days in India this fall.

The Birneys have recovered from the airline bug caught while they were homeward bound from a trip to Sicily.

Fritz Jewett has been elected to Americas Sailing Hall of Fame, acknowledging years spent championing U.S. sailing teams.

George Woodwell, a giant among the worlds ecologists, one of the major 1960s discreditors of DDT, says, in part, "I look at the world as a biophysical system operating under a set of rules. If you violate the rules, you invite trouble. And right now we're violating the rules."

Sorry that this column is terse. I'm threatened by DAM that editing will be imposed if it exceeds 350 words. A pox on rules!

1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; ranevero03@aol.com